Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-06-17
AT The Ranch on the Divide.


~. The :-aneh was not large, not par.
ticularly noticeable, as ranches CO.
but its situation was splendid. The
road from the valley Of the Platte to
that Of La Fontaine Qui Bouille
. crosses the Divide. Or ridge; and, just
over it and sheltered by it from the
northern winds, were the ranch-house,
sheds and corrals. At the west, one
saw the foot hills, and glimpses Of the
great peaks behind them; and, not far
from the house opened a canon be-
tween whose steep and verdure.clad
walls ran g. clear and rapid stream,
chatting in it's restricted channel, and
seeming impatient to bestow the larg-
est OF its benetcent and priceless wa
tiers upon the arid plains stretching far
to the eastward. Looking to the
south, again, one saw therolling coun-
Try, rising at intervals into mesas and
dotted with scanty groves OF trees.
The sun had just passed beyond the
range, above which rose a wealth of
clouds OF airy texture and gorgeous
colors; and the edge OF the shadow in
which the ranch lay could be seen
creeping steadily over the buffalo grass
toward the eastern horizon. Converg-
ing towards the house came parties
rom the tour points OF the compass;
and, awaiting them, and standing on
the doorstep, looking first in one d.
rectlon and then in another, was q
quaint and curious youthful specimen
OF that alien race which has had so
sorrow q reception on our shores, the
Chinese.
His sharp, almond-shaped eyes
caught " glimpse OF the great flock OF
sheep the moment they surmounted
the slight elevation over which he
had often seen the sun rise;
and, with the two watchful
Mexican herders behind them, they
came straight toward the water
troughs. These same eyes saw Uncle
jim Boyle, as he tramped slowly and
deliberately down the sloping side of
the nearest mesa, at the south. and
even caught the smoke OF his pipe
rising in the clear air. All Fong knew
that Uncle jim had promised to sleep
at the ranch while it's master was alb
sent, and havluga profound respect for
the strength and prowess of this
redoubtable frontersman, he thought
tho arrangement excellent. Then
they saw the pretty bit Of color which
Fanny Carrolps dress made against
the dark back ground OF the canon
wall, as she climbed over the rock at
it's mouth; and the tassels of silver
thread On the cord around the crown
ofyoung Sam Ruxton' S sombrero as he
asslduously helped her holding herlit
hands perhaps somewhat longer than
was necessary. This made something
as neat q smile show itself on All
Fong's face as was ever seen on those
enotionless features.
When, however, the Chinese bov
again walked to the rear OF the house
and CHANGED to look to the north
ward, he stopped and gazed intently
ut two men who were coming over the
ridge. He stood perfectly still for
some time and then, making his way
quietly toward q rude out building,
concealed himself therein.
Farther and farther crept the line Of
shadow to the eastward; nearer and
nearer the ranch came the different
parties. At last the herders sh ut
the bars Of the corral behind the last
OF the bleating sheep, and,
unslinging their canteens, be-
gan pumping water for their charges.
Uncle Jim Boyle mounted the steps OF
the rude piazza with firm and heavy
tread, and the two young people-she
swinging her large straw hat by it's
ribbons and he walking decorously at
her side--came round the corner OF
the she'd
Every body on the Divide took an
interest in Fanny Carroll. When her
father, old Tom Carroll, up at George
town, made his great strike, and sold
out to the eager "tende feet," there
was q, general sentiment of salts fac
ton; for Tom had worked faithfully,
and had plenty OF hard luck and was
good fellow through it all. When,
too, he came into possession of SOL
id bank account, hebehaved particular
~ we'll; declined to be ''interviewed,"
bought no diamond pins, extended
liberal help to some old "pards''
whose luck had deserted them, and,
as the boys expressed it, want stuck
up and didn't 60 back on 'em."
Miss Fanny was sent to an eastern
seminary, whence she had returned as
accomplished and pretty, and refined
and wel}-dressed as heart could desire.
When she came down to the Divide to
make visit at the ranch, it was unanl-
mously decided by the population
OF that region that she Gust everlast-
ingly laid over" anything from the y.
P. down to New Mexico. She was in
deed a charming girl by any standard,
and, with her chestnut-brown hair
and mahogany~colored eyes, and
1.-the, slender figure, would have attract
cd attention anywhere. Small won
der, then, that this gracious young
creature soon reigned an uncrowned
queen over many loyal and devoted
subjects. Now, as she came near to
him, old Uncle Jim's lace relaxed,
and his eyes took on tender express
ion.
"Bless her heart" said he to him.
self, she's the pootiest creetur I've
seen in many a long year. The young
feller's mashed poorly bad on her.
Waal, I've been young myself an I
know how it is. kind o. think she
kin do jest anyththing she likes with
him. l don't believe thar's man
livin' in tibet could say no to her, let
alone do her HARM" He dotted his
hat, and, with, a curious timidity,
took her little hand nrnffared as she